At last week’s New Paltz Village Board meeting, Stana Weisburd offered some additional information about the upcoming “community circle” event, which is intended to facilitate conversation among those who disagree about justifications for and solutions to the Israeli war in Gaza. The selection process for the event — which is being limited to about a dozen participants is to include those who respond first.
Weisburd and Mayor Tim Rogers spoke about the event at the August 28 board meeting, at least in part as a response to a letter in the August 21 Hudson Valley One that was given the title of “Weekly toxic stew in New Paltz,” and signed by Ava Lowle. Weisburd believes that this letter was submitted under a fake name.
In the letter, the writer suggested that this event would be an opportunity for participants to “feel better about the weekly high noon on Main Street when the Women in Black hold their anti-Israel anti-Zionist protest in front of Elting Libary while pro-Israel counter-protestors stand across the street.” The writer called out that the selection process for participants “is anybody’s guess.
Rogers emphasized that the framework of “inviting local residents to meet for a community circle to discuss how to disagree on the crisis in the Middle East without hurting each other” is the whole of the agenda. Weisburd noted that there is no expectation that minds would be changed, as the focus will be finding ways to have these discussions “without hurting each other.”
The circle will be at 25 Plattekill Avenue on September 16 at 7 p.m., facilitated by Miriam Frankl of the Dispute Resolution Center in Kingston. Anyone interested in finding a way to disagree that doesn’t involve being separated by a state highway is invited to send an email to sweisburd@villageofnewpaltz.org to get on the list.
Don’t drive
Community organizer Kevin Borden secured a resolution from Village of new Paltz trustees last week in favor of a week without driving, which is being organized nationwide September 30 through October 6 in order to raise awareness about the impacts of driving and the need for improving public transportation. In voicing support, Mayor Tim Rogers clearly expressed that not every resident is in a position to stop using a personal vehicle, but that passing this resolution nevertheless helps raise awareness and “gently remind us” of these issues.
First 90 days
It’s been three months since Mike Baden, a former elected official well regarded for knowledge of local law and planning issues, was hired to oversee building and planning issues from New Paltz’s village hall. Baden reported on what’s happened since, and what may be to come.
Developers might be delighted by the change, as Baden has found ways to move many reviews up a full meeting for the planning and zoning boards by shortening deadlines, while still complying with legal requirements. This keeps “applications moving at an appropriate pace,” with delays generally resulting from a failure to submit information timely.
Baden has spotted some contradictions in the code, particularly when comparing the prose to what’s laid out in the tables. Both of these are part of the law, and Baden will likely be recommending clarifying changes in the future. Another change may come to how lot lines are revised. In common parlance, a “lot line revision” is moving a property line without changing the number of lots. In village code, though, it’s treated as a subdivision and requires all the documentation and hearings associated therewith. The same is true for merging two lots into one. Baden would see these requirements eased.
The new director is also advocating for a software program created by a Kingston-based developer, which would make it much easier to access all building information for employees and members of the public alike. Baden did, in the past, consult with the developers on this project, but said that there is presently no financial or employer relationship that could color the conversation.
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